Italian financial newspaper MF (Milano Finanza) revealed this week that some of Tirrenia’s ferries controlled by Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione, may be put up for sale in the near future.

They are set to be seized by the Court of Rome following the action taken by the public “bad company” Tirrenia in Amministrazione Straordinaria.

The related revenues would be used to cover the deferred payments (a total amount of EUR 115 million) for the purchase of the former Tirrenia which were not paid in 2016 and 2019.

This potential scenario, if confirmed, would be possible in the coming months when the current public contract and subsidy to support lifeline maritime transportation with Sardinia, Sicily and Tremiti with Moby will expire. It should be mid of July but it is likely that a postponement of few months will be granted to the Vincenzo Onorato controlled group.

In its last available annual report, CIN said that the fleet was valued EUR 265 million (31 December 2018). However, some vessels were dismissed last year (HARTMUT PUSCHMANN, BARBARA KRAHULIK and AURELIA).

With reference to the other ferries still under CIN’s control the values reported at the end of 2018 are as follow: VINCENZO FLORIO (21.2m), BENIAMINO CARNEVALE (2m), RAFFAELE RUBATTINO (23.6m), BITHIA (38.5m), JANAS (38.5m), ATHARA (39.2m), NURAGHES (46.4m), SHARDEN (46.6m) and the high-speed vessel ISOLA DI CAPRAIA (2.8m).

ESPO Proposes a Two-Step Approach on the New EU Transport Strategy

ESPO believes that in the absence of any insight on the duration and impact of the current crisis, it is, at this moment, impossible to set the ground for a long-term EU Transport Strategy.

ESPO proposes a two-step approach:

1) Europe’s first priority must now be to develop a restart and recovery plan which helps to overcome this crisis. It should develop the measures and instruments for Europe’s recovery to put the European economy and society back on track as soon as possible, while guaranteeing this happens in a safe way.

2) In a second phase, when the “new normal” sets in, the discussion should start on a new Transport Strategy, which will set the long-term goals, ambitions and initiatives for the European transport sector. The Strategy should integrate the consequences of and lessons learned from this crisis and should build on the new post-crisis reality.

ESPO and its members are happy to start the reflection with all stakeholders and EU decision makers in view of formulating clear answers to all these questions and setting the ground for a truly forward looking sustainable, connected, efficient and resilient transport system.